3. Hardware System Architecture and Modeling - Hardware Systems Engineering
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3. Hardware System Architecture and Modeling

3. Hardware System Architecture and Modeling

The chapter focuses on the significance of hardware system architecture and modeling, outlining methodologies that shape the design process. It emphasizes the importance of choosing suitable architectures and utilizing modeling techniques to predict system performance and behavior, ultimately fulfilling project requirements. Key tools for implementation and the necessity of documentation are also highlighted to support effective architecture throughout the system lifecycle.

42 sections

Sections

Navigate through the learning materials and practice exercises.

  1. 3
    Hardware System Architecture And Modeling

    This section explores the importance of hardware system architecture and...

  2. 3.1
    Introduction

    System architecture defines the structure and behavior of hardware systems,...

  3. 3.2
    Importance Of Architecture In Hardware Systems

    Architectural design in hardware systems provides structure and alignment...

  4. 3.3
    Architectural Design Methodologies

    Architectural Design Methodologies focus on the strategies used to create...

  5. 3.3.1
    Top-Down Design

    Top-down design is a methodology that begins with high-level system goals...

  6. 3.3.2
    Bottom-Up Design

    Bottom-Up Design is a methodology that integrates available components into...

  7. 3.3.3
    Meet-In-The-Middle

    The Meet-in-the-Middle methodology combines top-down and bottom-up design...

  8. 3.3.4
    Model-Based Design (Mbd)

    Model-Based Design (MBD) utilizes modeling tools to define, simulate, and...

  9. 3.4
    System Architecture Components

    This section outlines the primary components of system architecture in...

  10. 3.4.1
    Processing Unit

    This section discusses the role of the processing unit in hardware systems,...

  11. 3.4.2

    This section discusses the essential role of memory components in hardware...

  12. 3.4.3

    Interfaces in hardware systems facilitate communication between components,...

  13. 3.4.4
    Sensors/actuators

    This section discusses the role of sensors and actuators in hardware...

  14. 3.4.5
    Power Management

    Power management involves techniques and components to control and optimize...

  15. 3.4.6
    Mechanical Housing

    Mechanical housing is an essential aspect of hardware system architecture,...

  16. 3.5
    Hardware Modeling Techniques

    This section discusses various hardware modeling techniques that help...

  17. 3.5.1
    Functional Model

    The functional model illustrates the system's behavior, showing what tasks...

  18. 3.5.2
    Structural Model

    The Structural Model describes the organization of system components and...

  19. 3.5.3
    Behavioral Model

    The Behavioral Model captures how system components respond to inputs over...

  20. 3.5.4
    State Machine Model

    The State Machine Model is a modeling technique that represents the control...

  21. 3.5.5
    Timing Diagram

    The Timing Diagram illustrates the timing relationships between signals in a...

  22. 3.6
    Tools For Architecture And Modeling

    This section discusses various tools used for hardware system architecture...

  23. 3.6.1
    Block Diagrams (Visio, Draw.io, Lucidchart)

    Block diagrams serve as essential tools in system architecture, enabling...

  24. 3.6.2
    Sysml (Systems Modeling Language)

    SysML is an extension of UML tailored for systems engineering, emphasizing...

  25. 3.6.3
    Simulink (Matlab)

    Simulink is a model-based design tool in MATLAB that aids in the development...

  26. 3.6.4
    Ltspice, Multisim

    This section discusses the use of LTspice and Multisim as tools for...

  27. 3.6.5
    Vhdl/verilog

    VHDL and Verilog are critical hardware description languages used for...

  28. 3.6.6
    Altium Designer, Kicad, Orcad

    This section covers key PCB design tools, emphasizing their roles in...

  29. 3.7
    Example: Sensor-Based Embedded System

    This section outlines the design and architecture of a...

  30. 3.8
    Performance Modeling And Simulation

    This section covers the significance of performance modeling and simulation...

  31. 3.9
    Architectural Trade-Offs

    This section discusses the key trade-offs in architectural design, including...

  32. 3.9.1
    Performance Vs. Power

    This section discusses the trade-offs between performance and power...

  33. 3.9.2
    Cost Vs. Flexibility

    This section addresses the trade-off between cost and flexibility in...

  34. 3.9.3
    Analog Vs. Digital

    This section discusses the fundamental differences between analog and...

  35. 3.9.4
    Integration Vs. Modularity

    This section examines the trade-off between integration and modularity in...

  36. 3.10
    Documentation Best Practices

    Documentation best practices ensure clarity and traceability in system...

  37. 3.10.1
    System Block Diagram

    The system block diagram serves as a high-level visual representation of a...

  38. 3.10.2
    Interface Control Document (Icd)

    The Interface Control Document (ICD) defines the signal and communication...

  39. 3.10.3
    Architecture Description Document (Add)

    The Architecture Description Document (ADD) is essential for capturing the...

  40. 3.10.4
    Functional Models/simulations

    Functional models and simulations validate the expected behaviors of...

  41. 3.10.5
    Versioned Models And Diagrams

    Versioned models and diagrams facilitate the documentation and tracking of...

  42. 3.11
    Summary Of Key Concepts

    The summary emphasizes the critical aspects of hardware system architecture,...

What we have learnt

  • Hardware system architecture provides a structured and modular approach to designing systems that meet specified goals.
  • Modeling facilitates early validation and simulation, greatly reducing potential risks in the development phase.
  • Utilizing specialized tools such as SysML and Simulink enhances system-level thinking, ensuring high-quality outcomes.

Key Concepts

-- System Architecture
The high-level structure of a hardware system, defining components, their roles, and interconnections.
-- ModelBased Design (MBD)
An approach that uses modeling tools to define, simulate, and refine system architecture before implementation.
-- Performance Tradeoffs
Considerations made between competing system attributes such as performance vs. power consumption or cost vs. flexibility.
-- Documentation Best Practices
Strategies for maintaining clear records of design decisions, system requirements, and revisions across the development process.
-- Functional Model
A representation that focuses on what a system does in terms of functionality.

Additional Learning Materials

Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.